Types of Appliances

• Pouch or Bag-  The bag will catch the stool draining from the ileostomy stoma.  Every pouch will have a spout or drain at bottom of the bag.  The pouch needs to be emptied frequently to avoid over-filling which might lead to the appliance leaking.  There are many different sizes and styles of pouches.  Most are odor proof and some will have a filter used to release gas prior to emptying.  Hopefully the patient will have access to a caring ostomy nurse who will help find the best solution.
• One-Piece- A one piece appliance contains the bag and the adhesive skin barrier or flange together as a one-piece unit.  The flange has a hole that may be cut to fit the particular stoma size before being adhered to the skin.  Some one-piece appliances may be pre-cut to the size of a patients stoma.
• Two-Piece- This unit is made up of two seperate pieces; the flange or adhesive skin barrier and the pouch.  The flange adheres to the skin and the pouch is attached to it.  The flange can stay in place while the pouch is removed and replaced with another.  This type of appliance is stronger and may be the preferred unit for someone experiencing skin sensitivity.
• Reusable and Disposable- A reusable pouch has a barrier attached the skin with adhesive and the pouch can be washed and reused.  Disposable pouches have an adhesive barrier ready to be applied to skin and will be thrown away after each use.